My Coworker Asked My Husband for Rides During My Maternity Leave — And It Gets Even Crazier!

My Coworker Wants My Husband to Drive Her to Work While I’m on Maternity Leave — That’s Not Even the Craziest Part

The time I was meant to spend bonding with my baby during my maternity leave quickly turned into a nightmare when my colleague Emily thought she should be able to do more than simply get a lift to work. Her bold acts forced us to face the extent we would go to in order to defend our family and strained the limits of our patience.

My name is Katie, and lately, things have been really busy. Things have been busy with moving in with my husband, Mark, and getting ready for our first child.

Mark is my rock; he’s compassionate, dependable, and slightly narcissistic. After dating for a few years, we were married a little over a year ago. Although we were thrilled to have a growing family, there had been times when the adjustments were too much to handle.

Strangely enough, my coworker Emily had been one constant in my life. I had been driving her to work for the past year. At first, it wasn’t a huge concern because she lived three minutes away from my previous residence.

I continued to drive her even after I moved in with Mark because, well, it just seemed right. She had no one else to assist her, so it wasn’t too much bother.

However, things had changed now. Emily was in a frenzy trying to figure out how she was going to get to work because I was about to go on maternity leave. The closest driving school was two hours distant, and she was unable to operate a vehicle. She had no family around to help her, so she had no choice.

One day, following yet another furious conversation about her situation, she gave me that beseeching look. “I have no idea what I’m going to do, Katie. Can’t you lend me a hand?

I gave a sympathetic shake of my head. “I wish I could, Emily. However, it isn’t possible for me to drive you to work while I’m on maternity leave. Bribing a six-month-old baby outside? Not at all.”

She came up with a fresh concept a few weeks ago. She said, “You ought to ask Mark to drive me.”

I nearly chuckled at the boldness. “I’m not going to ask him, Emily. He starts work at 7:30 a.m., therefore we have to go to work by 6:30 a.m. Our employment is 20 minutes away from his, and we reside 15 minutes away. It isn’t taking place.

She attempted a jest about it. “Well, the reason you’re on maternity leave is his fault. You became pregnant because of him!”

It was not hilarious to me. Emily, it’s not a blame game. It’s simply not feasible.”

I could tell she was disappointed that I didn’t even ask him. Reminding me that I had assisted her in getting the position in the first place, she guilt-tripped me, saying, “I wouldn’t have taken this job if I knew we couldn’t carpool anymore.”

Then, at 5:45 a.m. on the first day of my maternity leave, the doorbell rang. With a heavy heart, I got up, praying that it wasn’t who I assumed it was. And sure enough, Emily was standing there, looking quite desperate.

She begged, “Please, could you just ask him?”

I let out a long sigh. “We’ve been through this before, Emily. He cannot be asked to do that.”

Prior to closing the door, I noticed Mark standing behind me, massaging his eyes. “What’s going on?”

Emily grabbed hold of the opportunity. “Mark, while Katie is on maternity leave, could you please give me a ride to work? I have no one else to inquire with.”

I glanced at Mark, thinking he would understand. His people-pleaser tendencies showed as he hesitated. “Well, I suppose I could…”

“No, Mark,” I snapped back. “It is not possible. It’s unfair to put this on you because I need your assistance with the kid and you need your sleep as well.”

Emily grew stern-faced. “I see. All OK, thanks for nothing.”

She snapped out of it, turning on her heel. I was relieved as well as guilty for a moment. She could finally understand now.

Still, the matter was far from settled. Emily persisted, so I knew I wouldn’t hear about it for the last time. She seemed tense, and I questioned how far she would go to satisfy her desires.

After a few days, my maternity leave had only recently begun. Being a new parent and adjusting to the new rhythm of life was both tiring and thrilling.

On this particular morning, Mark stayed at home with our infant while I got up early to fetch some baby formula.

With bleary eyelids from sleep, I padded to the front door. But my heart fell when I opened it. Our vehicle had vanished. An instant of panic struck. Frantically, I called the police as I hurried back inside. “Our car’s been stolen!” With a shaky voice, I exclaimed.

Mark dashed in, holding the infant in his arms. “What’s going on?” he said, his expression showing concern.

“Our car…it’s gone,” I stumbled, panic and anxiety rushing through my head.

While the officers were recording the details, our automobile, including Emily and a male, pulled up in the driveway. A mixture of relief and rage welled up inside of me.

Emily came out with a look that was equal parts apathy and smug satisfaction. It’s my significant other. He is my driver to work. Since you didn’t offer to drive me, I guess I may at least use your vehicle.”

The realization of her actions’ audacity left me speechless and in shock. Emily seemed to have figured out where we kept the extra key and chose to take care of herself.

“You…you took our car?” At last, I managed to say, my voice trembling with shock.

Reaching the door with the infant in his arms, Mark’s expression was one of worry. The police officers asked if Emily and her boyfriend should be arrested as they turned to face me. For the first time, Emily’s face flashed with panic.

Mark firmly answered, “No,” which surprised the cops and myself alike. I attempted to object, but Mark raised a hand. “Let them go.”

After the police had left, we stood in awkward quiet.

“I’m glad you’re okay with the car thing,” Emily remarked, trying to play off her knowledge of Mark’s people-pleasing tendencies. Mr. Help-them-all, I knew you’d get it!”

Mark stepped forward, his expression hardening. “Pay close attention, Emily. I don’t want you ever again being around my wife, my child, or our home. We can’t turn a blind eye to what you’ve done.”

Emily’s arrogant expression vanished. She looked from Mark to her boyfriend and back again. “Alright,” she said, her confidence waining. Without saying anything more, they walked away, and I experienced a sigh of relief.

After the initial shock subsided that evening, Mark and I had a conversation about what had transpired.

Still in shock, I murmured, “I can’t believe she took our car without asking.”

Mark gave a sigh. “I am aware. It’s astounding. But for now, we must prioritize keeping our house secure. We’ll swap out the locks and relocate the extra key somewhere more convenient. We refuse to be exploited by anyone in the future.”

Mark also recommended that, in case Emily did something again, we set up a security system and let our neighbors know what happened.

He contacted a locksmith first thing the following morning, and I stayed inside with the baby. We could hear our infant gurgling and cooing from the living room while the locksmith worked. The sound served as a reassuring reminder of our motivations.

I said to Mark, “Thank you for being so strong,” as we watched the locksmith complete his work. “I know it wasn’t easy to confront Emily like that.”

Mark squeezed my hand and grinned. “Our family comes first at all times. Nobody tries to separate us.”

My phone buzzed a few days later when I was nursing the infant. Emily had left a message: “I apologize for everything. won’t trouble you once more.”

Unsure of how to feel, I just stared at the television. I felt relieved in part, but I was still furious in another.

“Should I reply?” I showed Mark the message as I asked.

After giving it a brief glance, he shook his head. “Not necessary. Just let’s get on.”

I concurred. Now that Emily was in the past, we could concentrate on our promising future. Once the security system was installed and the locks were changed, our house felt secure once more.

After a few weeks, as we became used to our new schedule, I couldn’t help but notice how dramatically our family had changed. We had been put to the test by the experience with Emily, but it had also strengthened us.

I felt at ease one evening as we sat on the couch, our infant sound asleep in Mark’s arms. “We’re going to be okay, aren’t we?” Leaning on Mark’s shoulder, I questioned.

He gave me a forehead kiss. Yes, we are. We’ve never been more powerful.

I nodded, appreciating his firmness and encouragement. I knew then that we could tackle whatever that life threw at us. The only thing we needed was each other.